Town Square

Youth Football

Original post made
by Karen, Birdland,
on Nov 2, 2009

I just read this article in the Chronicle....

I would have thought I would have heard about it here first. Although the alleged assault is bad enough, I can't believe they watch game films for 11 year old pee-wee football!! Settle down....settle down.....

A former Oakland Raiders player and a current Alameda County supervisor got into a dustup the other day over pee-wee football - landing Supervisor Scott Haggerty in a neck brace and ex-NFL tight end Jeremy Brigham under investigation by Pleasanton police.

All of it was caused, we're told, by Brigham's accusations that Haggerty - whom he had just fired as the assistant coach of his Pleasanton squad of 10- and 11-year-old boys - had leaked plays to an opposing team.

Police Sgt. Jim Knox confirmed that his department is investigating the incident. He declined to discuss details, but said a report is due in the next week or two.

Brigham played four seasons for the Raiders, through 2001. Haggerty has been a county supervisor since 1996. Fate threw the odd couple together this fall on the coaching staff of the Cowboys in the Pleasanton Junior Football League.

Haggerty said his advice to head coach Brigham wasn't always welcome, and that Brigham told him to "shut up and sit down" after he complained about the team's exercise regimen and asked to take over.

A few days later, after Haggerty couldn't make a meeting with Brigham to go over game film, Brigham sent him a text message that he was fired and warned him not to show up at practices, the supervisor says.

Haggerty said he took the firing in stride, but still showed up that Saturday to watch from the stands as the Cowboys walloped their opponent, 38-0.

At a coaches meeting the next day, according to Haggerty, the losing coach walked up to Brigham and joked, "Haggerty gave me all your plays."

That Monday, when Haggerty showed up at the Foothill High School football field to pick up his son from practice, Brigham confronted him, "screaming that I gave the plays away," Haggerty told us.

The next thing he knew, Haggerty said, Brigham had knocked his BlackBerry from his hand and was pulling him over a 4-foot fence as he punched him on the back of the head.

Haggerty insists he never acted aggressively himself and left as fast as he could, then called 911 before going to the hospital. The supervisor said he was met there by Pleasanton police officers, who took a report.

Haggerty did not attend the Cowboys' next game - when his own son suffered a serious neck injury and had to be airlifted to a hospital.

Now both he and his son - who suffered torn muscles and a mild concussion that ended his season - are wearing neck braces.

Haggerty tells us that Brigham was suspended for one game for the alleged scuffle. Repeated attempts to reach Brigham at numbers listed in his name were unsuccessful.

And this is in 10-11 year old football. I find it very funny that Sup. Haggerty was "fired" by Jeremy Brigham. Last time I checked coaches in PJFL were volunteers and not hired. Jeremy Brigham being an ex-professional from the NFL would figure to have a little bit more restraint. I also believe he's quite a bit bigger than Sup. Haggerty ;-) I also find it funny to be going over "game film" for kids this age. Sounds like the league needs to fire Brigham and get somebody a little more responsible and with the kids bests interests in mind. I sure I'll get some response to my post with "we're too soft" on Pleasanton kids and this is a more "real world" approach. What a joke IMHO.

Posted by Stay Cool
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 2, 2009 at 3:35 pmStay Cool is a registered user.

I'm curious how Patti can find fault with Supervisor Haggerty's actions in these incidents. Of course there are two sides to every story. Patti, perhaps you know something we don't?
I hope this at least serves as a wake up call to parents about the responsibilities involved with coaching and setting an example for our kids.

Posted by Tango
a resident of Vineyard Avenue
on Nov 2, 2009 at 3:57 pm

I Love football and have two Middle school grandsons playing in the 13 yr. old league. one here and one in Oregon. I still find it hard to believe that 10 and 11 yr old kids are playing Tackle Football. I find it hard to believe that 12 and 13 year old kids are playing tackle football. They don't need the injuries that , that kind of play brings. Their growth plates are not even set yet and could be injured so that they do not grow properly.

Posted by Patti
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 2, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Stay Cool,

I went to high school with Scott Haggerty at Washington High School in Fremont and I am not a bit surprised that this happened. He was always involved in all of these behind the scenes politics, so yes not surprised. On the other hand, my husband has season tickets to the Raiders games and has for years. I went to a few of the games and I remember this young man and he is absolutely huge but a nice guy so I am surprised.

It's unfortunate but youth leagues often end up with coaches who are over the top in their expectations and levels of competitiveness that are not in line with the age groups. Reviewing game films? That belongs in high school, not with fifth and sixth graders who should be learning fundamental skills, teamwork, and good sportsmanship. This sounds like one of those coaches that will do anything to win and when the kids don't do well they are chastised.

Posted by concerned parent
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 2, 2009 at 5:31 pm

It is amazing, that our league only suspended this coach. He raced across the field and up a hill, pulling Haggerty over a 4 foot fence while hitting him and accusing him of giving away plays. Coach your team just won 38-0 and the other coach told you and the league he was only joking and never even spoke to Haggerty. How you can try to justify this behavior and have a minority of the parents back you up is yet another example of why you and they are not good examples for our 11 year old sons. Your win at all costs attitude that xcoach refers to above in his comments is misguided and right on the mark.

Posted by Patti
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 2, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Pleasantonian,

Yes sure do know him. I graduated in the class of 76. Back then he was about 5'8" (I am 5'9") and about 130 maximum (him then not me :O). I saw him a few weeks back and he is still 5'8" but now maybe 200 but all belly. I even asked him what happened because I was a bit taken aback. I do however admire him because back then wanted to be somebody and now is so kudos to him.

Posted by two sides
a resident of Pleasanton Valley
on Nov 3, 2009 at 10:20 am

Scott is far from innocent in these events. He was not removed from coaching for not watching films, rather his conduct on the field. What Brigham did was unexcusable, but there are two sides to the story from what I have heard. I heard Jeremy Brigham removed him as a coach because Scott Haggerty was always combative towards the other coaches and continued his poor behavior towards the kids. I know firsthand how he coaches from past experience. He has been known to grab kids and yell excessively at them and tell them they play like s#@$ among other things. No need to have a coach treat 10yr olds that way and there is never a need to curse and grab kids, never ever a reason.

I have had kids in this league for many years and 95% of the coaches are fantastic and positive. Scott was not one of them. It is a shame the whole incident took place but I cant say I am shocked to hear Haggerty was involved. From what I have heard Jeremy is well liked by parents/players, but I still cant excuse what he did..although I heard no punches were thrown like was reported and Scott may have provoked it. Jeremy was suspended. I was not there, just what I heard from others.

Posted by CWM
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 3, 2009 at 10:48 am

I agree with "two sides". I think he nailed it right on. There are two sides to every story and you notice that you have only heard one side of it. I heard from someone that was present that Haggerty provoked the whole thing and Bingham just reacted to what Haggerty did or attempted to do. He was asked not to be part of the coaching staff because of his verbal abuse of the players and not because of watching game film. Not justifing any actions by anyone but you need to get all the facts before drawing any conclusions.

Posted by Kate
a resident of Amberwood/Wood Meadows
on Nov 3, 2009 at 11:20 am

Cost to sign your 10 year old up for Youth Football- $200.00
Cost to watch your son play, relax, sit in a chair with a Starbucks, while kids be kids: 3.50
Cost to watch two grown men fight over 10 year olds playing football? Only in Pleasanton where parents become kids once again...Priceless!!

Posted by Charles
a resident of Canyon Creek
on Nov 3, 2009 at 3:09 pm

I have met Jeremy, granted only once. I sold him a Doberman puppy back in the day. We talked for hours, he is a great guy, calm and gentle from what I coould pick up. I dont see him acting out in that manner. He later came back to the house and dropped off autographed pictures. I think he is kind hearted and level headed. Good luck to you Jeremy!

Posted by Kate
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 3, 2009 at 3:33 pm

If I my name ever lands on this site, I sure hope I am judged based on a couple of hour visit after buying a puppy! So glad to hear that Jeremy didn't kick the dog on the way out. Sounds like a super guy!!

Posted by Patti
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 3, 2009 at 4:16 pm

I guess I should have mentioned this earlier but have been busy but Scott never played sports in school, was not very good but liked to hang around the jocks. This might be a case of a "never were" wanting to play the big shot.

Posted by onemom
a resident of Pleasanton Meadows
on Nov 3, 2009 at 5:18 pm

it was an ugly situation, a lot of yelling and Scott did not leave "as quickly as possible" the parents begged him to leave pulling him toward the cars and trying to end all this as it took place in front of the kids (including his own). To answer Marie's question, anyone can play in PJFL. We have a lot of Livermore, San Ramon and Dublin kids. It's a great league, everyone gets to play there are no cuts and they don't travel. I agree that most of the coaches are very good. Naturally it's the bad press that makes the press. So much good is left unreported. One of the senior coaches has always had films of games for the kids to watch, not for yelling over mistakes but to bond with the team and have the joy of seeing themselves on a big screen. He also insists that the boys thank their parents after every game win or lose for supporting them.

Posted by Ars
a resident of Castlewood Heights
on Nov 3, 2009 at 8:04 pm

The parents that were at the practice field when this "incident" took place cannot back up Mr. Haggerty's story. The police officer investigating this has spoken to the same parents. It is my understanding that no charges will be filed against Brigham based on the investigation. Both men acted innapropriately and have said so. Scott's son is just fine. He was airlifted because Haggerty insisted he had the best insurance (tax payer insurance I am sure) to pay for the helicopter.
You did not hear about this first on the forum because Haggerty exaggerated what happened between him and Brigham. Haggerty went to the police and was later seen wearing a soft tissue collar around his neck. A collar you can get from a Chiropractor or ebay.
It would be in these coaches best interest to step away and let someone else coach these kids. Someone with more self control and character.

PJFL is a great league that provides equal opportunities for everybody to get equal play time no matter your skill level. So even little rollie pollie Scott could have played in his day. You will notice if you attend other games there is another former elected official who stands out for his behavior and not in a favroable way.With many parents not wanting their kids to play for him.

I played in the PJFL and it was a good time, good coaches, blah, blah, blah. This story is too funny though, I would love to see re-creations made of each story. Would be funny, after all nobody seems to have really got hurt.

Posted by Get the facts
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 4, 2009 at 7:34 pm

"I still find it hard to believe that 10 and 11 yr old kids are playing Tackle Football. I find it hard to believe that 12 and 13 year old kids are playing tackle football."
I agree, but it is worse than this. Kids can start playing tackle football in the 2ND GRADE! That is seven year-olds, by the way, in case you lost track. There is no need, in my opinion, to have tackle football until the 8th grade, one year before they can play in high school.

The PJFL is a great league, though, my son has loved playing (he plays flag, as you might have guessed). Too bad these guys let their lack of poise and maturity get the worst of them.

Tackle football fears...stats say more cheerleaders get hurt per football game than players. I played all the sports as a kid here in Pleasanton and only got hurt (broken hand) in baseball, a non contact sport. If you think that one year of tackle football will prepare you for high school ball, you will likely get beat up worse than the kids that have for years learned to tackle and be tackled.

Jerry in Oak Hill
Check out the other teams in the league and you will see that many of them are only getting a fraction of the team to show. With it dark now by 5:45, other after school sports and parents work schedules there are many factors leading to the light turn outs across the board.

Posted by Get the facts
a resident of Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 6, 2009 at 7:51 am

"If you think that one year of tackle football will prepare you for high school ball, you will likely get beat up worse . . ."

I played football in high school and I didn't play even one year of tackle before then. So did others on the team. We all did fine, you don't have to play tackle before high school. And you certainly don't have to play it in the SECOND grade.

Get the facts - Did you go onto play varsity then college ball? Would you let you daughter cheerlead, and at what age? Would you restrict younger children from playing baseball, soccer, Lacross, etc? Football gets a bad rap for injuries but other sports (as said before cheerleading) have as many or more. The protective equipment in football works well, while basketball payers have to get hit full speed sometimes when taking a charge, kids get hit my line drives in baseball...all without any protection. It reminds me of how people who don't know the sport and stats think MMA (UFC style fighting) is more dangerous than boxing. Look at the stats and how many boxers are killed each year in the ring in the U.S. alone. Not one U.S. death in MMA or UFC's history in the U.S, but people think it's more dangerous. Perception.

I just found some stats from the census bureau on youth sport injuries as reported by Safe Kids. Basketball injuries lead to the most emergency room visits per year for children and baseball/softball causes the most deaths from youth sports. Not your intuition maybe but that's statistics for you.